Gargantuan

The Lord can't force you to learn or understand what you haven't prepared your mind to accept. That's why studying the scriptures is so important. After you read a scripture verse, then meditation or pondering will be relative to your questions. Your mind will understand the Gospel better and the Holy Ghost will be able to teach you previously misunderstood Gospel concepts. Fasting about your questions or ideas will help draw you closer to the holy spirit of personal inspiration. Regards, Gar

Dear Soul Searcher, You are on the right track. Please stay on it. Please accept the challenge God has given to you by continuing to pray and study the scriptures. A Testimony is a gift when you finally receive it. But, your inner strength to gain in knowing the Church is true won't come as an easy gift. The great result is that it will be a priceless and cherished gift to you and you will want to share it with everyone else. Regards, Gar

Thank you for your message on faith. As I read your words, I was brought back to a time when I struggled with my faith. During my growing up years, I had always felt the Restored Gospel to be absolutely true, but I had never had a sublime spiritual experience that let me know it was true. It was kinda disappointing to me, not to receive some sort of special witness or a spiritual manifestation. I really wanted to know within my heart that the Restored Gospel was true. I prayed and nothing happened to let me know. I studied the scriptures and still no manifestation or unique burning of the bosom. At that time, the lack of a witness made me feel very unworthy. In my scripture readings, I learned about those who seek after a sign before they will believe and I wondered if I was a sign seeker. I didn't want to be one, so I studied more intently and prayed without wanting to receive a special sign or manifestation. I just wanted to know what the scriptures were telling me. Gradually, the more I read the scriptures and prayed the more I began to appreciate the scared texts. Occasionally, peace and security would come to me during and after I experienced a prayerful encounter with my scripture reading. I attributed this feeling to be a confidence I had gained through increased knowledge. I didn't experience a special spiritual manifestation. I really never had one, but sometimes by exercising a tiny bit of faith and desiring to believe I felt good when hearing another person testify of the value of Gospel truth's in their own life. I believed on their words and testimony. However, I had Gospel questions and because of that I was motivated to continue to read and ponder the scriptures. Over time, it became easier for me to understand the holy text. I gained an increased understanding of the Gospel without a single special manifestation of its truth. Gradually, I realized I didn't need one. I knew it was true as I know now.

Alzheimer’s disease is also found within the biochemical process of the brain. By way of the biochemical and DNA function of each individual neuron it will save an imprint of the memory patterns and consequently all will be recorded in the brain. All good experiences and bad will be saved. It is vital to the purpose of life that this process work as it is programmed through the original DNA (46 chromosomes) given to you by your parents at conception. By way of the Atonement of the great Messiah we all will be able to retain those experiences needed for gaining knowledge that will benefit the progress of our eternal journey. Vaya Con Dias

The body and brain are inseparable. The soul is a state after the Resurrection. The phases of mortality our body experiences in life are intended to give our eternal spirit the experiences we could not have without the influence of the body, functioning as the filter in mortality(so to speak). What we gain now, through mortal experience will benefit the final state of the soul. Nothing is wasted, whatever experience we have in this life will rise with us in the Resurrection. If we have sought evil all of our days in life, it will affect us at that phase (Resurrection) of our eternal journey. If we have sought for good in the face of great challenges, then it is my opinion that the Atonement of Jesus Christ will make up for those with brain damage the difference of what they would have gained if they had not experienced such challenges. They must endure well now and much more good will follow. Much more could be stated about this issue. Vaya Con Dias.

Meaningful Prayers "As you study to understand the scriptures, . . . your prayers must not be limited to that. . . . Your Heavenly Father wants you to pray about your hopes and fears, your friends and family, your school and work, and the needs of those around you." Elder D. Todd Christofferson, "When Thou Art Converted," Ensign, May 2004, 12

Wonderful Connection "In our eager efforts to improve, sometimes the most basic ingredient for real improvement is neglected: a deep and meaningful realization of our divine connection- our relationship with God." —Lloyd D. Newell, Divine Connection The silent prayer coming from within your heart is heard by your Father in Heaven regardless where you may be. The God of heaven and earth who knows the thoughts of your heart hears your silent words mentioned in prayer.

Finally, I figured out how to get back into my account at LDS.net. With a little help from my friends (hmm, sounds like a song) I am now able to post a quote I like and believe: I hope it is helpful to someone else. True Charity "Our individual struggles and suffering teach us to relate to the Atonement of Christ in a deep and profound way that cannot be learned through any other experience. Our capacity to show empathy and compassion for another is heightened by our own endurance and suffering. Only through such experiences can a person develop true charity—the pure love of Christ." Taken from talk given by David A. Hunt who was an assistant administrative vice-president of BYU Student Auxiliary Services, 8 August 2006.